Platform / Parenting Matters
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Parenting Matters

Support Chicago families through enhanced childcare access, education investment, and direct financial support to working parents.

The Problem

Chicago families face mounting financial and care challenges:

  • Childcare costs exceed 20% of family income for working parents
  • Insufficient quality early childhood education access
  • Wage stagnation makes affording family basics difficult
  • Limited support for school success and college readiness

Family Cost Relief

Household-focused reinvestment tied to verified fiscal savings and neighborhood delivery

Evidence Base

$100M

Property-tax relief commitment supporting household affordability

$300M

Neighborhood Capital Fund commitment for family-serving community improvements

$75M

Public-safety reinvestment for safer family neighborhoods

Our Commitment

Direct Family Financial Support

  • ✓ Direct stipend model for qualified working families
  • ✓ Childcare subsidies for low and moderate-income families
  • ✓ School supplies and back-to-school grants
  • ✓ Summer program access for youth enrichment

Childcare & Early Education

  • ✓ Universal pre-K expansion across the city
  • ✓ Quality childcare center network development
  • ✓ Family support services and parent coaching
  • ✓ Infant and toddler care expansion

School & College Success

  • ✓ Tutoring and academic support programs
  • ✓ College counseling and application support
  • ✓ Trade apprenticeship pathways
  • ✓ Parent engagement in school communities

100-Day Action Plan

Days 1-30

Program Design

  • Family Surveys Needs assessment completed
  • Program Blueprint Stipend and support structure
  • Budget Allocation Funding secured

Days 31-60

Pilot Launch

  • Pilot Wards 10 wards launch program
  • Applications Open 25K families apply
  • Pre-K Pilot 2 new universal pre-K sites

Days 61-100

Expansion

  • Citywide Rollout Program expanded citywide
  • First Payments Stipends distributed to families
  • Results Program outcomes and uptake metrics published

Related Resources

📊 Family Support Strategy

Comprehensive analysis of family needs and program design.

📑 One-Pager

Quick reference for Parenting Matters pillar.

🎥 Family Video

3-minute overview of parenting support programs.

Explore Other Pillars

Support Parenting Matters

Help us provide direct support and opportunity for Chicago families.

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